Though there were many challenges and setbacks, 2020 was an exceptional year. We are thankful that despite the devastating effects of the pandemic and states’ shifting legislative priorities to health and economic recovery bills, our work to end the backlog and support survivors continued to move forward. Twenty three states introduced 46 bills that would help achieve one or more of Joyful Heart’s six pillars of legislative reform to count, test, and track rape kits, and grant rights to survivors.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many legislatures paused and several of the bills we supported were indefinitely put on hold. Despite these holds, Joyful Heart helped pass 10 bills in 10 states by providing information and materials, guiding and supporting advocates and lawmakers, sending letters of support, and providing testimony. These bills expanded access to justice for more than 31,200 sexual assault survivors, impacting more than 65.5 million Americans.
Two States Passed First Reform Law
Nebraska granted victims the right to know the status and analysis of their kits, and mandated an inventory in its two largest urban areas. South Carolina enacted a law requiring a kit tracking system to be established. With these two bills, Nebraska and South Carolina achieved their first pillars, leaving seven states that have not addressed rape kit reform through legislation. These states are Alabama, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
Eight States Continued Their Path to Full Reform
Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia passed additional bills, bringing them closer to reaching comprehensive rape kit reform.
- Illinois approved its ongoing funding for analysis and maintenance of rape kits.
- Maryland passed its 2020 budget, providing funding for testing of rape kits.
- Michigan appropriated additional funding to eliminate all county sexual assault kit backlogs across the state and to assist local prosecutors with investigations and prosecutions.
- Minnesota established and funded a tracking system to provide victims with information on the status of their kit.
- Missouri mandated kit submission timelines, established a rape kit tracking system and granted victims the right to be informed of the status of their kit.
- Virginia, following the one-time inventory of rape kits in 2014, now requires an annual inventory. The bill also mandates hospitals to notify law enforcement within four hours of collecting a kit.
- Washington provided additional funding to implement a tracking system and eliminate the backlog of untested kits.
- West Virginia mandated newly collected kits to be submitted to the lab by the health care provider within 30 days after the forensic exam is performed.
We are so grateful for the progress made during this challenging year and for our community’s support. We look forward to pushing for more reform together in 2021!